Reverse call origination via a packet switched network

ABSTRACT

A telephone call is originated in a reverse direction, i.e., from a called party to a calling party, using a packet switched network. According to one embodiment of the invention, a calling party located in a first country may wish to place a call to a party in a second country having cheaper telephone rates. To benefit from the cheaper telephone rates of the second country, the calling party sends a data message—via a packet switched network—to a service provider in the second country requesting reverse call origination. The request message may be sent to an electronic mailbox maintained by the service provider and located on a global computer network, such as the Internet. The service provider of the second country, upon receiving the message, dials the destination number of the called party supplied in the request message. After reaching the called party, the service provider of the second country dials the calling party and bridges the call between the two parties. The calls thus originate from and are billed at the lower telephone rates of the second country. In another embodiment of the present invention, a telephone call may originate from a service provider of a country having lower telephone rates even though the called and calling parties are located at other respective countries.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to telecommunications equipment and services and,in particular, a method of reverse origination of a telephone callplaced by a called party to a calling party via a non-signaling network(a computer network, for example) instead of a packet switched signalingnetwork (Signaling System 7 (SS7), for example).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to current prices and tariffs, an inbound U.S. telephone callfrom another country is more expensive than an outbound U.S. call tothat country. This means that a call originated in the U.S. fortermination in a foreign country is typically cheaper than the reversedcall, i.e., the same call originated in the foreign country fortermination in the U.S. This is particularly true in the emerging freemarket economies which have less advanced and fewer telecommunicationsnetworks than the U.S. Absence of competitive market forces, as well asconsiderable investment of capital required for entering thetelecommunications market, contribute to the existing high cost oftelecommunications equipment and services in those countries.

The significant difference in telephone rates between the U.S. inboundand outbound telephone calls has spawned a new industry of so-calledreverse call origination. The traditional, i.e. forward, origination ofa telephone call is from a calling party to a called party. The callingparty pays for the call charges with the exception of a collect call,1-800 call, bill-to-third-party call, certain cellular services, specialN00 services where N (2-9) is the first digit for an area code(Numbering Plan Area) of a telephone number, etc. In contrast to theforward call origination, the reverse telephone call originates from thecalled party equipment at the request of the calling party. Thesignaling information associated with the call proceeds in the reversedirection: from a switching office (switch), connected to the calledparty station via a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), to a switch servingthe calling party via another PBX, for example. As known in the art, asignaling network, being a part of a telecommunications network,provides for an exchange of information related to a telephone call forvoice/data/video. Typically, such signaling messages carry informationregarding call set-up or tear-down, card validation, number translation,and other data transactions associated with the telephone call.Utilizing the reverse call origination, the calling party pays the callcharges even though the call has been originated by thetelecommunications equipment serving the called party station.

As stated above, a significant cost advantage exists in originating aninternational telephone call from the U.S. To capitalize on cheaper U.S.calling rates and non-trivial price difference, several companies haveset up operations in the U.S. for providing reverse call originationservices to people abroad who place calls to the U.S. In some cases, thetelephone service using the reverse call origination can be usedadvantageously even for calls that do not terminate in the U.S. Theseare transitory calls—from one foreign country to another foreign countryvia the U.S.—that establish the U.S. as a point of origin for obtainingcheaper rates.

Typically, the providers of the reverse call origination servicepurchase volume discounted telephone service from major U.S. longdistance carriers and then resell it to callers in other countries at ahigher premium. By providing the reverse call origination to the callersabroad, the resellers may place inbound international calls at slightlyhigher U.S. rates than the major U.S. long distance carriers.Nevertheless, the cost of the call is still lower than the cost of aninbound international call originated outside the U.S.

One of the most widely used methods of the reverse call origination,also known as a call-back service, is based on automatic numberidentification (ANI) detecting means. For example, if an overseas callerPierre wishes to call Jimmy, a business acquaintance in the U.S. Pierrewould dial a telephone number of a U.S. based Company ABC which providesthe reverse call origination service for international callers. Pierrerings the Company ABC's telephone, for example, several times and thenhangs up. Since the call was not completed, Pierre does not incur anycharges for it. Based on the transmitted signaling information, theCompany ABC determines Pierre's telephone number with the use of the ANIdetecting means. The Company ABC, using a “live” or automated operator,then calls Pierre and asks for the called party number, i.e., Jimmy'stelephone number. After obtaining the requested number, the Company ABCplaces the call to Jimmy. If Jimmy answers, then both parties, i.e.,Jimmy and Pierre, are held on line, and the operator bridges the callbetween them. Using this call-back service, Pierre pays the call chargeswhich are based on the U.S. rates even though he initiated the call fromoutside the U.S.

The described method has two significant drawbacks. First, the callingparty outside the U.S. evades payments to the foreign-based telephonecarrier for the call expenses because the initiating call was notcompleted to the providers of the reverse call origination (CompanyABC). The call was purposefully intended not to be completed. Theforeign telephone carrier does not collect any money for the uncompletedcall even though the telephone carrier incurs expenses for transmittingsignaling information associated with the call alerting. Cumulativeeffect of lost revenues by the foreign carriers may negatively affectforeign relations between the U.S. and other countries, and possiblyviolate international telecommunications treaties to which the U.S. is asignatory country.

Adversely affected by this service, the international carriers couldeither apply pressure on the Company ABC to discourage the reverse callorigination or deploy means to outright prevent it. For example, highvolume unanswered calls to the U.S. could be easily detected andconsequently blocked by the international carrier on a called or callingnumber basis.

Setting aside the above issue for a moment, the second disadvantage ofthe above method includes the need for additional hardware and humanresources. Thus, this method requires two outbound U.S. calls (one callleg is from the Company ABC to Jimmy, and the other call leg is from theCompany ABC back to Pierre); the U.S. operator's involvement to set upthe calls; and special ANI detecting equipment for determining thecalling party's number. The required additional features contribute tothe service complexity, and the attending higher cost for the reversecall origination service.

A more sophisticated method of the reverse call origination eliminatesthe need for the “live” operator and two phone calls, as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,027,387 to Moll. In the '387 patent, a system isdescribed having a special REDIC (Reverse Direction Calling) equipmentwhich serves calling and called stations. When a caller desires to costeffectively place a call to another country or to a different time zonewithin the U.S., the call is sent to the caller's PBX and then to theREDIC equipment which includes a computer and a database. The computeruses the database to determine whether the call would be cheaper if itwere originated by the called party. If so, the calling party's REDICsends a packetized message via the public network to the called party'sREDIC requesting reverse call origination. After the handshaking,screening and confirmation of the request between the two REDICs, thecall is originated by the called party rather than the calling party.

The '387 patent has certain advantages over the previously describedANI-based service, and is well suited for situations in which cheapercalling rates vary based on time of the day that the call is placed andthe calling zone within the U.S. Thus, taking into account a three hourdifference between Los Angeles and New York, in accordance with theMoll's invention, a 7:00 a.m. call (Eastern Standard Time) between LAand NY will be originated from LA to take advantage of the off-peaktelephone rates. On the other hand, a 7:00 p.m. call (Eastern StandardTime) will be originated from NY to save on long distance calls. It isapparent that the cost effectiveness of the calling rates alternates dueto the time zone difference. Therefore, the additional expense ofinstalling REDIC equipment will not cause the attending significant lossof revenue for different vendors and service providers, because thenumber of calls originated from either NY or LA will not, on average,increase or decrease disproportionately.

The '387 patent, however, does not suggest any incentive for installingthe additional REDIC equipment by a common carrier if the calling ratesof that carrier are always higher than the other carrier, as is the casewith the U.S. and foreign carriers. If the calls always originate fromthe U.S., the foreign carrier will most certainly refuse to support thereverse call origination and may even lobby its government to prohibitthe service via diplomatic channels.

To overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art, the presentinvention provides for reverse call origination via a non-signalingnetwork without imposing any unfair burden on the foreign carrier forthe call setup, tear down, etc. or requiring any additional specializedtelephone equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention originates a telephone call from a country withlow telephone rates to a country with high telephone rates by using anon-signaling network, such as a global computer network, for example,without additional specialized telephone equipment or any modificationsto switches and databases in either country, or any manipulation ofsignaling information transmitted by a carrier in the high tariffcountry, and provides flexible allocation of charges.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a calling party in aforeign country sends a request message to an electronic mailboxrequesting the reverse call origination service. The mailbox is locatedon a global computer network, such as the Internet for example, andmaintained by a U.S. service provider. The message includes anelectronically generated form, i.e., a pre-formatted message, which isprepared by the provider. It comprises the calling party number, thecalled party number, and various optional parameters. As one option, themessage may be encrypted to transfer customer's confidential informationacross the network safely.

After the form is filled out and sent to the mailbox by the customer, amicroprocessor executing an application program on the computer networkparses the information fields of the form and sends the card number forverification to a database. If the card is valid, the microprocessorexecuting the application program notifies the U.S. service provider ofthe request and forwards the information provided by the calling party.If the card is not valid, the request for the reverse call originationis aborted.

The service provider places a call to the called party in the U.S., thento the calling party abroad, and finally connects or bridges the twocalls. After the call is completed, the calling party is charged for thecalls at the U.S. rates because the two calls were made from the U.S.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the callingparty may supply a calling card number belonging to a third party. Withthe previously obtained authorization, the call charges will be paid bythe third party.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the call maybe billed to the calling party in accordance with a previously agreedupon arrangement.

The advantages of sending information via a non-signaling network are asfollows. First, the international carrier does not have to expend itsresources on an unbillable call. Second, such pertinent information as abilling number (customer number, credit card number, etc.), a calledparty number, a calling party number, etc. can be sent in an initialmessage, thereby avoiding a call-back to the customer for collectingthis information. This translates into lower costs for providing thereverse call origination service and possible savings for customers.Third, a separate line is not required for each customer resulting infewer lines required to be purchased by the customers. Fourth, adestination number can be checked to determine if it is available, i.e.,the destination telephone is “off-hook,” the network is congested, etc.The call will be reverse originated only if the destination telephone is“on-hook,” which again translates into lower costs and possible customersavings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned as well as additional advantages and features of thepresent invention will be evident and more clearly understood whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a telephone call from Pierre (a callingparty in a foreign country) to Jimmy (a called party in the U.S.) usingthe reverse call origination via a computer network in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a telephone call from Ivan (a callingparty located in the first foreign country) to Steffi (a called party inthe second foreign country) via the U.S. using the reverse callorigination in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

In all Figures, like reference numerals represent same or identicalcomponents of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the disclosed invention includes a calling partylocated in a foreign country who desires to call a party in the U.S.using the reverse call origination. According to this embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in FIG. 1, the calling party, i.e., Pierre,100 has access to a non-signaling network, i.e., a global computernetwork such as the Internet 102, for example. To take advantage of theU.S. telephone rates which are lower than telephone rates in most othercountries, the calling party 100 accesses the computer network 102 andsends a request for the reverse call origination to an electronicmailbox on the on-line computer service. The mailbox may be a computeraccount which the operator of the computer network allocates to theowner of the account upon request and/or fee. The account may be set upwith various privileges requested by the owner, such as the size,authorized access, etc. For example, the owner may require the users ofthe computer network 102 to enter a password or an access code forsending or receiving messages to and from the mailbox.

In accordance with the disclosed invention, a U.S. service provider,i.e., a U.S. long distance carrier 104, maintains the mailbox on thecomputer network 102, which is specifically allocated for processingreverse call origination requests. To access the mailbox and send a callorigination request message, the U.S. provider 104 may require, forexample, a password previously obtained by the calling party 100. In thealternative, no password may be needed to request the reverse callorigination. In either case, the calling party 100 sends a requestmessage comprising the following information:

-   -   calling party's number;    -   called party's number;    -   billing information and data, which may include, for example, a        credit card or calling card number to be charged for the        service, etc.    -   other optional parameters, such as a password, etc.

In the current example, the calling party's number is the foreigntelephone number, and the called party's number is the destinationnumber of the call to the U.S. The calling party 100 enters thisinformation into an electronically pre-formatted message generated by acomputer program on the network 102. The message is specificallytailored to the reverse call origination and has fields assigned to thisparticular function. The calling party 100 fills in the requestedinformation in the pre-formatted message via his computer or computerterminal connected to the computer network 102.

As previously stated, the request message with the above information isdirected to the mailbox operated by the U.S. service provider 104. Inaccordance with FIG. 1, the computer program directs a microprocessor ina computer operated by the U.S. long distance carrier 104 to poll themailbox for new messages every 3-5 seconds, for example, to obtain aquick turnaround response. Not all electronic mail systems, however,perform the polling function. As known in the art, some e-mail systemsdo not have to poll a mailbox to receive a message. Instead, thesesystems are automatically notified as soon as the message arrives at itsdestination, i.e., the mailbox in the current example. Since data in themessage is presented in a standard format as selected and specified bythe service provider 104, the microprocessor can easily interpret or“parse” the information fields without any assistance from the “live”operator.

Next, the microprocessor executing the application program verifies thecalling party's card number by accessing a database for cardauthorizations. There is no need for a separate database to validate thecredit card, such as Visa, Master Card, American Express, etc., as thesame databases currently used by subscribing merchants may be used forthe card authorization in the disclosed invention. In a case of acalling card owned by a different U.S. long distance carrier than theone operating the reverse call origination service, an agreement may bereached, for example, providing for the use of the competitor's card. Asan alternative embodiment of the present invention, verification may notbe performed for corporate or other users who established accounts withthe service provider 104.

Regardless of the type of card used by the calling party 100 to pay forthe call, if the card is determined to be valid, the application programoperated by the U.S. long distance carrier 104 notifies its U.S.telephone operator of the request to place a call. The U.S. telephoneoperator is also provided with the calling party's and the calledparty's telephone numbers via a record retrieved from the mailbox. TheU.S. operator then places a call to a called party, i.e., Jimmy, 106located in the U.S. as shown in FIG. 1. If the call is successfullyterminated, the U.S. operator then calls the calling party 100 in theforeign country via a telecommunications network 108 and a foreigncarrier 110 as known in the art. Upon establishing a voice communicationwith Pierre 100, the U.S. operator bridges the call between Pierre 100and Jimmy 106 as also known in the art.

If Jimmy's telephone line is busy or the call cannot be terminatedbecause the network is congested, etc., the attempt to reach the calledparty 106 may be repeated until the voice connection is established.Alternatively, a message may be returned to the calling party 100indicating the current status.

The calling party's card is billed for the two call legs, i.e., one callfrom the U.S. telephone operator to Jimmy and the other from the U.S.telephone operator to Pierre. The duration of the call extends to thepoint when one of the call legs is terminated. Even though two calls,instead of one, are made by the calling party 100, both calls are billedat the U.S. telephone rate. For several countries with high telephonerates, the combination of two U.S. calls is still cheaper than a forwardoriginated call to the U.S.

As another feature of the present invention, the U.S. carrier 104 maycontain a database comprising telephone rates for inbound and outboundcalls between the U.S. and various countries. When the U.S. carrier 104receives a request for reverse call origination, its computer accessesthe database to determine whether the two U.S. calls are less expensivethan a normally originated, i.e., forward, call to the U.S. If this isthe case, then the reverse call origination proceeds as described above.If, however, the computer determines that the forward originated call ischeaper than the two U.S. originated calls, the computer then uses thecomputer network 102 to send a message to Pierre advising him of thissituation. Another alternative may be for Pierre's computer to expect areply and stop waiting (time out) after 30 seconds, for example: if noresponse message is received from the service provider's computer, thenthe reverse call origination will occur as requested by Pierre.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2which shows a block diagram of a telephone call transiting, instead ofterminating in, the U.S. According to FIG. 2, Ivan 200, i.e., a callingparty located in the first foreign country, wishes to call Steffi 206,i.e., a called party located in the second foreign country, and sends adata message from his computer. The data message is sent via aninternational non-signaling network 202, such as a packet network, datanetwork, computer network, etc. as known in the art.

The data message includes an address name and domain name as used on theInternet for example, and is directed to a Company X 214 which is theowner of this address on the network 202. The Company X 214 is aprovider of the reverse call origination in accordance with the presentinvention. The Ivan's message includes:

-   -   a calling party number, i.e., his number and extension if        applicable;    -   a called party number, i.e., Steffi's number, including a        country code and a national number with an extension if        applicable;    -   billing information which indicates how to bill for this call        (Ivan's calling card, third party card, Steffi's calling card,        Ivan's or Steffi's credit card, etc.) and billing data (a card        number, expiration date, etc.);    -   password which may be optional; and    -   other optional parameters which may include various instructions        to the Company X 214, such as keep calling until Steffi is        reached, or retry the call in 5 minutes, etc.

All of the information must be encrypted if the network 202 is exposedto breaches by computer “hackers” or unauthorized users.

After reaching the Company X 214, the Ivan's message is analyzed foraccuracy and validation of the billing information and the billing data.The calling number and the password, if applicable, are compared withthe entries in a database maintained by the Company X 214. If thecalling number, i.e., Ivan's, is requested not to be billed, a creditcard or calling card number is checked for validity.

At the completion of validation and/or verification, the Company X 214calls Steffi 206. As well known in the art, the call proceeds via a U.S.long distance carrier 204, a telecommunications network 208 carryingsignaling and voice information, and a foreign carrier 210 servingSteffi's telephone. When Steffi 206 answers the call from the Company X214, another call is then placed to Ivan 200 via a foreign carrier 212.The two calls are bridged or connected with each other, similar to a3-party call. If Steffi 206 cannot be reached, i.e., a busy signal orno-answer is received, then the Company X 214 notifies Ivan 200 of thissituation. Alternatively, the Company X 214 may not notify Ivan 200based on the prior arrangement. In this case, Ivan 200, after waitingfor several minutes for example, will realize that Steffi cannot bereached.

The above embodiment may also use a database comprising telephone ratesfor inbound and outbound calls between the U.S. and various countries,as mentioned above in connection with another embodiment of the presentinvention. By accessing the database, a computer calculates whether thetwo U.S. calls are less expensive than a normally originated, i.e.,forward, call. Based on the outcome of this calculation, the appropriateaction is taken as described above.

In another embodiment of the present invention, after completing thevalidation and/or verification of billing information, the Company X 214calls Ivan 200 via the U.S. long distance carrier 204, thetelecommunications network 208, and the foreign carrier 212 serving theIvan's telephone. While keeping Ivan 200 on hold, the Company X 214calls Steffi 206 as described above. Although more expensive forcustomers, this method is easier to implement in the telephone industry.When Steffi 206 answers the call, the two calls are bridged or connectedwhich is similar to a 3-party call. If Steffi 206 cannot be reached, theCompany X 214 may take various courses of action as described above.

Upon completion of their conversation, either Steffi 206 or Ivan 200hangs up first, and both legs of the call are disconnected at the firstindication of a party being disconnected from the call. Billinginformation is then generated for sending to a party responsible forcall charges.

Next, several alternative embodiments will be described with respect tothe disclosed invention. First, a service provider of the reverse callorigination may want to confirm that a calling party wants to proceedwith the call before the original attempt is made to reach a calledparty. In this scenario, after receiving the request message, theservice provider may call the calling party for confirmation of thereverse call origination. After confirming the request, the serviceprovider places the calling party on hold, calls the called party andbridges the two calls.

Confirmation request entails the economic risk on the part of thecalling party that the called party is unavailable, and the call cannotbe terminated as intended. In this case, the calling party must stillpay for the confirmation call made by the service provider. Thus, eventhough the call could not be terminated to the called party, the callingparty incurred the cost for the unsuccessful attempt.

Although filling out the electronic form may delay the voice connectionbetween the calling and called parties, the form may be partiallycompleted by the calling party prior to initiating the request. Suchinformation as the calling party's number and the card number may beincluded in the form for faster processing. This partially completedform, i.e., a template, may then be stored as a record in a database andquickly retrieved prior to the reverse call origination request. Toinitiate the service request, the calling party would have to supplyonly the destination number and quickly transmit the fully completedform to the service provider.

Another alternative of the disclosed invention may use a corporateaccount. For U.S. companies and businessmen working and staying abroad,a corporate account may be established for billing services inconnection with the reverse call origination. As previously stated, inthis case no credit card or user verification would have to be performedresulting in a faster voice connection between the callers.

Yet another embodiment of the invention pertains to a third partybilling. A party located in a foreign country wants to call a party inthe U.S. and charge the call to a third party. The calling partyaccesses an electronic mailbox maintained by a U.S. long distancecarrier on a computer network, for example. Similar to the previouslydescribed embodiment, the calling party fills out a form to request thereverse call origination service. The form includes the calling party'snumber, the called party's number, a third party's card number to becharged for the service and other optional parameters as stated above.

In a case of a credit card, such as Visa, Master Card, American Express,etc., standard information will be required which includes the cardnumber and the expiration date. If a third party's calling card is used,then some uniquely identifying information will be required to verifythe authenticity of the third party or the relationship between thecalling party and the third party. For example, a U.S. college studentstudying abroad and having an easy access to the Internet via a collegecomputer may use the parents' calling card and provide the mother'smaiden name as the uniquely identifying information.

Validity of the card and authenticity of the calling party proceeds asdescribed in the previous embodiments. Thus, the credit cardverification is performed via an existing database used by manymerchants in the U.S. and abroad. The calling card information isverified via a remote database typically maintained by many U.S. longdistance carriers. In the alternative embodiment which will compromisethe security of service for the ease of operation, no additionalinformation may be requested by the long distance carrier except thecalling card number.

There are two major advantages of the disclosed invention over thesystems and methods described in the prior art. First, the disclosedinvention does not require the installation of any additional orspecialized equipment at the calling and/or called party's site. No needexists for any modifications of the switches or databases operated bythe long distance carriers to provide an interface with the additionalequipment for reverse call origination. Many telecommunicationsdatabases currently contain foreign telephone rates which are used forcomparison according to one aspect of the present invention.

Furthermore, the disclosed invention cannot possibly violate anyinternational agreements and does not place unfair burden on the foreigncarriers for transmitting signaling information despite the absence ofthe actual call completion. The foreign carrier does not incur anyexpenses during the call origination for setting up and tearing down thecall, as described in the prior art, because the call originationrequest does not use the ANI equipment and completely bypassesinternational telecommunications networks. It is clear that services ofthe foreign carrier are not unfairly manipulated by the disclosedinvention in contrast to the prior art.

Since those skilled in the art can modify the disclosed specificembodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is,therefore, intended that the claims be interpreted to cover suchmodifications and equivalents.

1. A method of requesting a reverse origination telephone call by acalling party to a called party via an internet protocol network,comprising the steps of: sending from said calling party to a carriervia said internet protocol network an email message for a reverseorigination telephone call which includes telephone numbers of saidcalled and calling parties; said carrier receiving via said internetprotocol network said email message; extracting said telephone numbersfrom said email message; requesting a telephone call via a signalingnetwork to said called party based on said called party telephonenumber, wherein said signaling network is connected to a circuitswitched telephone network; if a voice response is received from saidcalled party, requesting via said signaling network another telephonecall to said calling party based on said calling party telephone number;and if a voice response is received from said calling party, connectingsaid called and calling parties to effect voice communicationtherebetween via said circuit switched telephone network.
 2. Methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the step of: sending via saidnon-signaling network billing information to said carrier to billcharges incurred for said telephone calls.
 3. Method according to claim2, further comprising the steps of: maintaining a database for storingat least the billing information of the party to whom said charges areto be billed; and accessing said database and comparing the billinginformation received via said non-signaling network with said storedbilling information of said to be billed party.
 4. A method ofrequesting a reverse origination telephone call from a called party to acalling party via a non-signaling, packet switched network, comprisingthe steps of: sending from said calling party to a carrier via saidnon-signaling, packet switched network an email message for a reverseorigination telephone call which includes telephone numbers of saidcalled and calling parties; said carrier receiving via saidnon-signaling, packet switched network said email message; extractingsaid telephone numbers from said email message; requesting a telephonecall via a signaling network in a public switched telephone network tosaid called parry based on said called party telephone number; if avoice response is received from said called party, putting said calledparty on hold; requesting another telephone call via said signalingnetwork to said calling party based on said calling party telephonenumber; and if a voice response is received from said calling party,connecting said called and calling parties to effect voicetelecommunication therebetween via said public switched telephonenetwork.
 5. Method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of:sending via said non-signaling network billing information to saidcarrier to bill charges incurred for said telephone calls.
 6. Methodaccording to claim 5, further comprising the steps of: maintaining adatabase for storing at least the billing information of the party towhom said charges are to be billed; and accessing said database andcomparing the billing information received via said non-signalingnetwork with said stored billing information of said to be billed party.7. A system for originating a circuit switched network telephone callfrom a called party to a calling party via a non-proprietary internetprotocol, comprising: a service provider having a computer meansconnected to a non-signaling, internet protocol network for receivingfrom said calling party an email message for a reverse originationtelephone call from said called party via said non-signaling, internetprotocol network and extracting therefrom telephone numbers of a callingparty and a called party, said service provider placing a request for atelephone call via a dedicated signaling network to said called party,and another request for a telephone call via said dedicated signalingnetwork to said calling party if a response is received from said calledparty, said requests for telephone calls being respectively based onsaid called and calling telephone numbers, said service provider furtherconnecting said called and calling parties to effect voice communicationtherebetween via a circuit switched network if a response is receivedfrom said calling party.
 8. The system according to claim 7, whereinsaid email message further comprises billing information for allocatingcharges for said first and second telephone calls.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 8, further comprising: a database maintained by saidservice provider for storing at least the billing information of theparty to whom said charges are to be allocated to enable said computermeans to-compare billing information received via said computer networkwith said stored billing information of said to be billed party.
 10. Thesystem according to claim 9, wherein said database has stored thereinthe difference of telephone rates between countries, said database beingaccessed by said computer means to determine whether the combined costsof said telephone calls are less expensive than the cost of a directtelephone call originated from said calling party.
 11. A method oforiginating a circuit switched network call from a called to a callingparty comprising the steps of: receiving from said calling party anemail message for a reverse origination telephone call which includestelephone numbers of both the called and calling parties, via anon-signaling, packet switched network, from the calling party to aservice provider; requesting a call with said called party, from thesite of said service provider, over a dedicated signaling network;requesting said call with said calling party, from the site of saidservice provider, over a dedicated signaling network; andinterconnecting said called and calling parties to effect communicationtherebetween via a circuit switched network connected to said dedicatedsignaling network.
 12. A method for supporting a reverse callorigination service, the method comprising: extracting a telephonenumber of a called party and a telephone number of a calling party froman email message sent by the calling party; initiating a first call legwith the called party based on the called party telephone number;initiating a second call leg with the calling party based on the callingparty telephone number; and selectively bridging the call legs toestablish a call between the calling party and the called party.
 13. Amethod according to claim 12, further comprising: periodically pollingan electronic mail box to access the email message.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the bridging step is performed by anoperator.
 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the email messagein the extracting step includes billing information associated with thecalling party, the method further comprising: billing the calling partyfor the call legs.
 16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the emailmessage in the extracting step includes a password, the method furthercomprising: verifying the password prior to initiating the first callleg with the called party.
 17. A method according to claim 12, furthercomprising: requesting confirmation of the reverse call originationservice from the calling party over the first call leg.
 18. A methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the calling party is located within aforeign region and the called party is in a domestic region, the calllegs in the initiating steps originating from the domestic region.
 19. Amethod according to claim 12, further comprising: determining whethercharges for the two call legs are more expensive than charges associatedwith a call originated by the calling party to called party; andnotifying the calling party based on the determination that the chargesfor the two call legs are more expensive.